Vaccinium angustifolium, also known as the wild lowbush blueberry, is the earliest commercially grown blueberry to ripen. This native species of blueberry is the state fruit of Maine and is grown commercially in Canada, Maine, and Massachusetts, mainly harvested from managed wild patches. It is a low spreading deciduous shrub that grows best in wooded or open areas with well-drained acidic soils, producing natural blueberry barrens in some areas. The plant is fire-tolerant and its numbers often increase in an area following a forest fire. The fruit is a small sweet dark blue to black berry, full of antioxidants and flavonoids, making it a healthy choice for consumption. It is high in Vitamin C and dietary fiber, contains no fat, sodium or cholesterol, and is only 80 calories per cup of berries. Recent studies have shown that the pigments in the skin of the berries contain antioxidants that help fight compounds called free radicals, which can cause cancer, heart disease, other diseases and premature aging. Additionally, wild blueberries can prevent urinary tract infections and maintain skin elasticity over time. With so many health benefits, it is no wonder that wild blueberries are popular worldwide and are used in a variety of food products from blueberry muffins, to sauces, to martinis, to powders for medicinal purposes.
